PHOTO RELEASE: Delaware Memorial Bridge Maintenance Building Dedicated In Honor of James G. Wilson, Only Maintenance Employee Killed in the Line of Duty

By JSalmon on 01/17/2013:

Delaware Memorial Bridge Maintenance Building Dedicated

In Honor of James G. Wilson, Only Maintenance Employee Killed in the Line of Duty

(New Castle, DE) Today, Delaware River and Bay Authority officials dedicated the main Maintenance Building at the Delaware Memorial Bridge as “The James G. Wilson Maintenance Building.” The dedication ceremony, which took place on Jimmy’s birthday, was held inside the building that will forever display his name.

James G. Wilson was hired on March 2, 1981 as maintenance employee. He transferred to be a toll collector three months later. On October 22, 1984, Jimmy transferred back to the maintenance department so he could attend college at night. On Wednesday, April 17, 1985, Jimmy was cleaning Toll Booth 8 at the Delaware Memorial Bridge’s westbound toll plaza when he was tragically struck and killed by a tractor-trailer. Jimmy Wilson is the only maintenance employee who lost his/her life in the line of duty at the Delaware River and Bay Authority. He spent his entire career at the Delaware Memorial Bridge facility.

JWilson1: Jimmy Wilson’s widow, Tara Wilson Strauss (far right) of Wilmington, DE, joins with her children (from right to left) Patrick, Jamie, and Whitney to admire the bronze plaque that will be permanently affixed to the building. Jamie is holding his daughter, Asha.

JWilson3: Jimmy’s mother, Frances, reads the inscription on the plaque that honors her eldest son.

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority

The Delaware River and Bay Authority, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Three Forts Ferry Crossing. The Authority also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (New Castle Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All agency operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.